FiiO KA1 Review

Sound performances

For this review, I chose to pair the FiiO KA1 with the FiiO FD3 and Beyerdynamic’s DT700 Pro X. Those two have been my top choice in this price range since their launch now, and the FiiO shall be the perfect pocket companion on the go

As for the source, I kept my MacBook and iPhone, combined with the ddHiFi TC28i. For the files, I mainly used Apple Music and Spotify, as I ended up using the KA1 almost exclusively on the go, or on the train.

Overall signature

So, how does FiiO latest USB-DAC fare, compared to its bigger brother, the KA3? Or similarly priced devices like iBasso’s DC05 or Shanling UA1? Quite well actually.

Out of the box, the FiiO KA1 didn’t sound as impressive as the KA3, which completely blew me over last time, by its sheer power. Sure, you’ll be able to drive IEMs like the FD3 with ease, and even big cans like the new DT700 Pro X reached high volumes level, but the dynamic range wasn’t on par with the upper model.

That said, compared to the UA1 and DC05, the KA1 was – to my surprise – a real upgrade. Bass is sharper, voices more realistic and paired with the Beyer, I was able to spot some details that I missed on the two prior models.

In case you haven’t listened to any of the modern FiiOs, you’d be surprised to find out that the previous mid-focused signature is now gone. The FiiO KA1 is mostly neutral, with a wide sound stage and a surprisingly good layering: with the right headphone/earphone you can spot each instrument and each singer with ease and there is no channel imbalance to ruin the experience.

On paper, the difference between the KA1 and the iBasso/Shanling should not have been significant, but once connected to my FiiO FD5, I was amazed by how well it sounded, even with a source as crude as Spotify. This was especially true with dynamic, bass-hitting, tracks like Universal Consciousness from Charlotte De Witte, where some kicks seemed to popup right into my face, in a typical FiiO fashion.

Head to head against the EarMen Eagle, another DAC equipped with a newer ESS Chip the KA1 didn’t exhibit the same tonal difference I encountered with the KA3 – the latest FiiO’s dongle sounded quite close to EarMen’s own dongle. And, like the Eagle, the small KA1 showed tamed highs and softer mids, while the KA3 seems to focus on details, and dynamics, giving a completely different experience.

Paired with the FiiO JH3, the combo gives you the perfect balance between softness and linearity, a mix that should accommodate 99% of the listeners. And if bad recordings are not welcome, compared to the FiiO K3 and KA3, the new KA1 is much more forgiving. For people that may find the DT 700 Pro X and DT 900 Pro X a tad too dry, this is perfect if you need a small DAC on the go – or don’t get a Beyer, get a Meze…

As promised in the product sheet, the KA3 absolutely dead silent, even with sensitive IEMs like the FiiO FA9. To be sure, I tried various sources to check if EMI shielding was okay too and 99% of the time, I was pleased to hear the same pitch-black background. The only time I heard some parasites, was when my phone had to catch up with the old edge bandwidth, but that only occurred once or two. 

Compared to Apple’s own dongle, this is a big improvement. The same can be said when opposed to ddHiFi’s TC35i: better dynamics overall, better bass control, cleaner high-mids, especially with big cans like my Audeze LCD-X. But, obviously, you don’t get the KA1 to drive big planars. Paired with the FiiO JH3 though, the end result is superb and for a small on-the-go combo, it’s utterly impressive

All in all, a surprisingly good DAC, especially in this price range. 

Tonality

Highs: just on the spot, most of the time. The KA1 avoids the classical upper-mid boost, often found on low-tier DAC. If that gives a sensation of precision, it can also lead to some sibilant on sensible headphones. None of that was found on the DAC, fortunately, and electro tracks such as Naive response from Daniel Avery never scorched my ears.

Good test track : Through and through – Leaving Laurel

Mids: open and linear. Vocals and acoustic tracks were an easy job for the KA1, even more once paired with a good IEM. The sound stage is wide and voices glided easily into my ears, especially paired with the FiiO JH3, as the two devices seemed to pair really, really, well.

Good test track: Between a smile and a tear

Bass: dry and fast. FiiO has nailed the low end on their last models. The FiiO KA1 never lost composure and always offered a solid bass, especially when paired with IEMs, less with big headphones. For the price, it’s utterly impressive.

Good test track: Orbit – Rezz

Conclusion

The FiiO KA1 is what the brand calls a compact portable DAC and amplifier, for good reasons. Capable of great lengths once paired with a good IEM and hi-res files, the small dongle offers a real audiophile experience, for less than fifty bucks. Sound quality is surprisingly good, build quality is praise-worthy, and the conception design makes it the perfect companion for your smartphone, whether you’re an Android or iOS user.

In my opinion, it’s the perfect alternative to my “old” iBasso DC05, with more power and more accuracy. Sure, the KA3 remains better in every way, for just a little more money, but if your budget is locked under the half-hundred, the KA1 will be a sure choice.